International awards for Chinese-language science fictions announced

CHENGDU, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Ten science fiction writers, publications and organizations won the second Xingyun Awards, the only international award for Chinese-language sci-fi writers, on Saturday.

The annual Xingyun (nebula) Awards was organized by the World Chinese Science Fiction Association (WCSFA) based in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan province.

The awards include 10 categories such as best saga novel, best short story, best writer and best commentary. Awards for the best science fiction film & TV, and the most popular novel among mobile phone readers were vacant.

The final book of Santi trilogy written by Liu Cixin, 47-year-old electrical engineer and China's top sci-fi writer, won best saga novel. "Rebirth Brick" by Han Song, journalist and famous Chinese mainland sci-fi writer, won best short story.

Science fiction is important for it reflects a nation's imagination and creativity, said Wu Yan, president of WCSFA, at the award ceremony. He said he hopes Xingyun Awards will help Chinese culture go global.

This year's winners were selected from 47 nominees.

Nearly 150 writers, editors, publishers, and critics from China, the United States, Canada, Japan, and Australia, and more than 1,000 sci-fi fans attended the award ceremony, the largest get-together ever for Chinese-speaking sci-fi lovers.